St. Lucy’s-Walnut photo gallery
By John Sherrard
It might be a little early in the season to think about a championship, but don’t tell that to the St. Lucy’s High girls soccer team.
From first-year coach Sarah Losoya and all the way through the lineup, especially the seniors, the Regents have one goal this season – to win a CIF-Southern Section title.
St. Lucy’s, which lost in last year’s playoff semifinals, shut out Walnut High, 4-0, on Wednesday in a nonleague game. The visiting Regents had four players score in improving their record to 4-0-1.
“It was a great win, and we’re looking to build some momentum going into the season,” Losoya said.
Walnut (1-2) had the first chance at a goal in the seventh minute on a long shot by senior midfielder Priscilla Aguirre, but St. Lucy’s senior Heather Seman easily made the save.
A minute later, Mustangs junior goalkeeper Andee Monterone came far out of the net and turned away an attempt by St. Lucy’s Madison Hunt.
“This first 10 minutes it was a little rough,” Losoya said. “We weren’t connecting as well as we’d like to, but once we settled in and found our shape, it was good to go.”
St. Lucy’s, which had 12 shots, finally broke through with the game’s first goal in the 16th minute. Senior Kennedy
Lanier, who was playing defense most of the game, collected a corner kick from senior Sierra Townsend inside the goal area and headed the ball into the corner of the net.
“We like to push her (Lanier) up on corners because she is just amazing in the air. She just tucked it side-corner,” said Losoya, who was a midfielder for St. Lucy’s 1998 CIF-SS co-champion team.
Monterone again made two consecutive saves, the second one when she dove after the ball in the 24th minute.
The Regents earned their second goal in the 29th minute after a short pass from senior midfielder Rachel Fecteau to freshman Nicole Leggio, who took a long shot from 30 yards out for a 2-0 lead.
“I love the way St. Lucy’s plays,” first-year Walnut coach Carlos Guerrero said. “We’re trying to play the same way (with) a lot of possession, and they pass the ball very well.”
In the 38th minute, Walnut sophomore forward Catrina Gonzalez controlled the ball down the sideline and headed toward the Regents’ net. But Lanier, who has committed to Syracuse University, knocked her down and thwarted a possible scoring opportunity.
St. Lucy’s senior midfielder Sammy James, who is headed to UC Irvine next year, scored the third Regents goal in the 47th minute from in close on a pass from Townsend.
“I kind of just touched it (ball) by the last defender and just slipped it in the goal,” James said.
Walnut’s best chance at a goal came in the 59th minute on a cross from senior forward Erika Ingram to Gonzalez inside the goal area, but her attempt went over the crossbar.
Nicole Lopez scored the final goal for St. Lucy’s in the 79th minute.
SGVT GIRLS SOCCER TOP TEN RANKINGS
1. Claremont (5-0-1)
2. St. Lucy’s (4-0-1)
3. Charter Oak (5-0)
4. Bishop Amat (4-3)
5. South Hills (4-1-1)
6. Chino Hills (0-0-2)
7. Diamond Bar (4-2-1)
8. Sierra Vista (1-0)
9. San Dimas (1-0)
10. Los Altos (3-2)
Note: Not all records are correct. This is based on what has been reported to MaxPreps
CIF-SS GIRLS SOCCER POLLS
AREA GIRLS SOCCER STANDINGS, SCHEDULES
Baseline League
Del Rey League
Hacienda League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League
